1-155-723 - Art Media/Heritage Images

'Napoleon at the Siege of Toulon', 1793, (19th century). The major port of Toulon was anti-revolutionary and on 28 August 1793, the city turned itself over to the Bourbons and a British, Spanish and pro-Bourbon military force. Paris reacted quickly and laid siege to the city on 7 September, with several attempts to recapture it failing through poor leadership by generals Jean Carteaux and Francois Doppet. Their poor performances led to a young Chef de Bataillon Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) scheming with political allies to replace them with General Jacques Dugommier. The new commander then agreed to plans put forward by Bonaparte to storm a key fort that would allow French artillery to bombard the British fleet anchored in the harbour. The attack occurred on 17 December, in which Bonaparte was wounded by a bayonet in the leg, and less than a day later the British fleet, under Admiral Lord Hood, sailed away. On the 19th, revolutionary troops reoccupied Toulon earning Bonaparte promotion to general of brigade.